Jonathan Kuminga might not see the max contract he desires from the Golden State Warriors anytime soon as the 2024-25 NBA season looms.
According to The Athletic’s Anthony Slater, there has been little movement toward securing a five-year max extension for the 21-year-old forward. Despite his potential, the Warriors are reportedly hesitant to jump into such a massive financial commitment.
Slater added that while Golden State hasn’t ruled out an extension, it’s more likely to be in the range of $30 million per year, as both sides try to find common ground closer to the deadline. “Nobody can say for sure what will happen if Kuminga is presented a concrete, life-changing financial offer and the Warriors come to believe the deal will age well enough as the salary cap projects to skyrocket,” Slater explained.
Utah’s Lack of Interest in Kuminga During Trade Talks
Kuminga’s contract situation ties into earlier reports involving trade talks with the Utah Jazz. The Warriors had been linked heavily to Jazz star Lauri Markkanen, but they hit a roadblock when Utah showed little interest in acquiring Kuminga.
NBA insider Marc Stein noted that Golden State had not offered Kuminga or rookie Brandin Podziemski for Markkanen, and Utah wasn’t particularly keen on Kuminga as a trade piece.
According to Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus, the Jazz were more focused on Podziemski, viewing him as a better fit for their rebuilding timeline. Pincus explained, “The Jazz are in a rebuilding phase, but, per multiple sources, they want Brandin Podziemski from Golden State. While Jonathan Kuminga has value, he’s looking for a significant extension that may not match Utah’s timeline.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors Updates
Utah’s concerns highlight Kuminga’s upcoming contract demands, which might make it challenging for any rebuilding team to commit to a long-term deal without assurances that he can develop into a tier-one star. Even if Kuminga were to excel, there’s no guarantee he would want to sign long-term with a team like Utah.
Kuminga’s Growth, but Small Sample Size
Despite being selected seventh overall in the 2021 NBA Draft, Kuminga’s performance remains a mixed bag. He showcased his talent in the 2023-24 season with career highs in points (16.1), rebounds (4.8), and field goal percentage (52.9%) across 74 games.
However, the Warriors remain cautious about offering a max contract, given that his body of work is still relatively small—211 games over three seasons.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors Updates
The team understands the risk of handing out a max contract to a young player whose development is still in progress. If Kuminga doesn’t take the next step, the Warriors could be stuck with a deal that hampers their future financial flexibility.
The Warriors Hold the Leverage
The Warriors are in no rush to lock in Kuminga long-term, as they hold significant leverage. Even if they don’t reach an agreement on an extension by the October 21 deadline, Kuminga will enter next summer as a restricted free agent.
This gives Golden State the right to match any offers that come his way, providing the team with control over his future.
Golden State is also operating under pressure after missing the playoffs last season. Stephen Curry’s recent one-year, $62.6 million extension ensures the team will remain competitive, but the Warriors need Kuminga to continue his upward trajectory if they hope to return to the postseason.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors Updates
If he can take that next step, a max contract could be waiting for him next summer—if not sooner.
Utah’s Concerns Foreshadow Warriors’ Approach
The fact that Utah was uninterested in Kuminga during trade talks for Lauri Markkanen may indicate a larger issue with his perceived value around the league. While Kuminga has undeniable talent, his upcoming contract demands and relatively small sample size make teams wary of committing long-term.
Even the Warriors, despite seeing his potential firsthand, appear to be taking a cautious approach to avoid financial mistakes that could limit their roster flexibility in future seasons.
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